The journey to the top of pro tennis for Andy Murray has been a long and tough road. His transformation from a lanky young guy mixing up his shots to the physical “beast” he’s become now (I think Robbie Koenig said that) is the product of total commitment to nutrition and his rigorous training methods. As Christmas 2016 approaches and the dawn of the 2017 ATP seasons rises over the South Pacific only 630 points separate Andy from his life long nemesis, a hombre affectionately known as Nole.
These two guys have been trading “punches” since they were both juniors. In 2016 both Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic had great seasons. The most notable aspect of their rivalry was the inexplicable drop-off in Novak’s performance in the last few months of 2016 and the dogged determination Andy showed for virtually the whole year of 2016 and particularly towards the latter half. It was as if Andy could sense the top spot in the rankings was his to take, all he had to do was go out and get it!
And get it he did. With a Wimbledon title, six big ATP title wins, the year-end ATP title in London, oh and let’s throw in a monumental gold medal match against Del Potro just for good measure, Andy rightly staked his claim as the number 1 man in tennis. The only haunting thing in this great story is the fizzling out of the guy who had been almost unbeatable just a few months prior to Andy’s rise.
Novak Djokovic had arguably just a good a season as Murray with two, yes two grand slam titles (Australia and the French) four Masters 1000 titles and the title in Doha. But something happened to Nole as summer turned to fall here in the northern hemisphere. He saw something shiny; he went on walkabout, he stopped to smell the roses, woke up one morning and took a look at his beautiful family and decided that maybe “I’ll skip that yoga stretch this afternoon and spend and extra hour with my wife and son…. maybe.” Or maybe he just reached that first bump in the road for a superstar that’s been at the top of the game for 223 weeks.
Andy Murray is at the pinnacle right now. He’s enjoying all the accolades and the attention that accompanies one of the tennis’ coveted positions. Although he’s a Scot through and through, he also has the unspoken burden of representing Great Britain on the international stage. This is no small task as the British sporting public are loyal, but with a knowledge and critical eye that would make any sportsman second guess himself. Then add to that the British sporting press who will micro-analyze Andy’s choice of energy bar. Well, I guess everyone has to deal with pressure, right?
So soon it will begin. The 2017 ATP season. The heat and sunshine of Australia is where I’d like to be to escape the deep freeze of a North American winter, but I can’t go. I will live vicariously through the stars of the game. And one of the most intriguing stories to unfold will be that of Dunblane’s native son. When you’re number 1 everyone one is gunning for you. Andy’s off-season training regimen in Miami should bode well for the conditions down under but I don’t know that he can prepare himself for the relentless determination of every single guy on tour he will face that has even more reason to beat him now! I don’t think that too many will but there is a his shadow, his nemesis, his Lex Luthor…. his Nole. I suspect Djokovic has taken a breath, and smelled that rose taken a look at the 630 point spread between him and his life-long opponent and now he’s thinking number 2 on the ATP tour doesn’t suit him so much. I personally want Andy to give it all he’s got and show the world he got to number 1 due to his fantastic talent and consummate professionalism, and that he’s going to stay there for many, many weeks. There can be no “walkabouts” for Andy, there will be no rose smelling or cutting training sessions short. Andy’s job is to cement his crown with win after win… after win. He will have to become “unbeatable”. The Andy I saw in the latter half of 2016 is that guy, but can he continue to be that guy for literally hundreds of weeks, which seems to be the true measure of an all time great champion in men’s tennis in the modern era.
Can he do this?…. man, that’s why I love tennis!!
Glenn O’Reilly
Toronto, Dec 18, 2016
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